Ok, so I just bought an '88 Samurai and i'm pickin it up Tuesday. Can someone please give me information for parts catalogs, good places to buy parts, and info of that nature?

It will be my everyday driver, but I plan to go off-road on weekends with my dad and his Jeep. One of my goals is to get a lift on it, but I have to worry about paying my dad back right now... Im looking at a 2" shackle lift for about 80 bucks for the 2 sets (front and rear axles). It has baby swampers on it right now and a bunch of new products with about 115,000-125,000 miles.

EDIT: I will get some pic's on here as soon as I can.

Your best bet would be to read through these forums for a month or so before you start lifting or cutting or changing things, you will learn a lot.

Well, like I said, my dad has a Jeep (actually two, an '06 Wrangler, and an '85 CJ7 project). But yeah, thanks for the insight. I'll keep reading through the forums here.

Okay - Shackle ONLY lift will make your ride a little more bouncy. You have been warned.

Unless you NEED a lift - I wouldn't do it. You might be shocked at how capable these little machines are 100% stock. Drive your truck around a while, have fun with it.

Probably the best  / innexpensive lift is the 2" Shackle reversal from Calmini:
http://www.puresuzuki.com/shackle_reverse.htm

This kit will do a few impressive things for you:
1) With leaf spring suspensions (like ours) the wheel HAS to move slightly forward, or slightly back as a wheel travels over a bump / rock / pothole. Reversing the shackles allows the wheel to move back when going over bumps (stock, the tires go froward over bumps - which actually fights forward momentum - making for a rough ride).

2) 2" of lift is nice

3) The kit comes with better gas shocks than the stock cheapy's.

4) It's a bolt-on kit. No welding needed.

5) Only 2" of lift, so no need for longer brake lines, re-locating shock mounts, extending drivelines, steering geometry correction etc. Going more than 2" requires all these fun expensive upgrades (which is why other kits are $700 or more).

You probably won't find a better way to spend $240 on your Samurai.


How To:
http://www.izook.com/tech/samurai/suspension/sprvrs/sprvrs.htm

Well, as far as I know, its mostly stock. I'll have to look at it when I pick it up. Ill pick up the list of stuff replaced too. I know it has a new radiator, timing belt, alternator, stuff like that, plus a CD player. I think i'll end up spending quite a bit of time here for my sammy help. Another question... Is it a very reliable vehicle? Also, what should be replaced assuming parts havn't been replaced that should have been?

What would any of you suggest I put into it when I get the cash to. I have to work on paying off the cash to my dad first, but then I plan to work on it.

what kind of lift does your dad have on the cj7? you could use the stock springs off of that and do a spring over and fit 33s on it, when you get enough money, i just put a spring over on mine with a lot of financial help from my parents and it cost like 1700 bucks to do it including tires. 

He hasn't put the lift on the CJ yet. Its his project car, hes focusing on the Wrangler though currently. Also he said no SPOA because theyre too unstable apparently. It has to be safe to drive, as it will be my everyday driver to school.

What would any of you suggest I put into it when I get the cash to. I have to work on paying off the cash to my dad first, but then I plan to work on it.

Just depends on what you want to do. I don't do any radical wheeling, so 2" of lift with 235 / 75 R 15 tires is more than enough for me.

Things you'll want in your glove box / back seat when wheeling:
1) New clutch cable
2) Transfer Case Shifter sheet
3) Tow rope

~J~

I'll keep those in mind.

Don't be afraid to go to Autozone or Advance for basic parts like water pumps, radiators, etc. You will save over dealer prices. Don't rely the Haynes or Chilton manual for important things. A member of another board gave me this site...http://www.hardcore4x4.net/fsm/ for repair info. Another site archives forum articles from several sites for jillions of Samurai questions and gives the links...http://www.acksfaq.com/. Good Luck and just know you will never get these cars out of you blood.